Russia-Ukraine War Crisis: Russia claimed to have captured Mariupol Friday in what would be its biggest victory yet in its war with Ukraine, after a nearly three-month siege that reduced much of the strategic port city to a smoking ruin, with over 20,000 civilians feared dead. Russia also launched what appeared to be a major assault to seize the last remaining Ukrainian-held territory in the province of Luhansk, part of Donbas.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to President Vladimir Putin the “complete liberation” of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol — the last stronghold of Ukrainian resistance — and the city as a whole, spokesman Igor Konashenkov said. There was no immediate confirmation from Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a formal deal with the country’s allies to secure Russian compensation for the damage its forces have caused during the war. Zelenskyy said Russia is trying to destroy as much of Ukraine’s infrastructure as it can, said that they would have to pay for their actions.
Wimbledon had its ranking points stripped by the ATP and WTA Tours Friday over its decision to exclude players from Russia and Belarus at the 2022 Championships due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Finland is the latest country to lose the energy supply, which is used to generate electricity and power industry, after rejecting Russia’s decree.